At the northeastern port of Chongjin, a brand-new 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer was launched with significant damage. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un expressed rare public outrage over the North Korean warship accident, calling it a “criminal act” brought on by “absolute carelessness.” During the launch, the ship crushed its lower hull after sliding off a flatcar.
Only weeks after Pyongyang displayed a similar warship to enhance its military image, it now rests sideways in the water. Ahead of the crucial Party plenary next month, the botched launch damaged national pride and prompted immediate disciplinary action.
Destroyer Crashes During Ceremony
The accident was reported on Wednesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It took place at Chongjin, near Vladivostok, Russia, during an official launch event. According to KCNA, “inexperienced command and operational carelessness” caused the destroyer to slide off its flatcar. The ship’s bottom structure sustained significant damage in the collision, making it unusable.
Later, the South Korean military verified that the ship is now sideways in the water. High-ranking North Korean officials witnessed the humiliating incident.
Kim Jong Un Lashes Out at Officials
After the incident, Kim Jong Un, who was present at the ceremony, lost his temper. He blamed “absolute carelessness” for the accident and denounced it as a “criminal act.” He accused officials of destroying the “dignity and self-respect of our state” and warned that such failures “cannot be tolerated.”
Prior to next month’s plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party, he ordered the ship to be fully restored. During the Party meeting, Kim Jong Un also promised to hold the accountable officials accountable.
Strategic Context and Russia Link
Only a month had passed since North Korea debuted Choe Hyon, another 5,000-ton destroyer, when the launch failed. Kim Jong Un, who is regarded as a possible successor, attended that event with his daughter Ju Ae. Choe Hyon, according to North Korea, would be operational by the beginning of next year and carried the “most powerful weapons.”
According to some experts, the ship might be equipped with tactical nuclear missiles that can travel short distances. They do, however, doubt North Korea’s capacity to reduce the size of its nuclear weapons.
The proximity of the Chongjin port to Vladivostok sparks new rumors of Russian meddling. Analysts speculate that North Korea and Russia may have exchanged military technology. Pyongyang could have reciprocated by sending troops to back Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
What’s next for Pyongyang?
North Korea’s military aspirations are severely damaged by this accident. It shattered the regime’s meticulously constructed image of control and revealed obvious shortcomings in operational leadership. As a visible reminder of that failure, the damaged warship is still in the water.
Kim needs to move fast now. He has a month to regain control and repair the ship. Pressure is growing to correct the error and hold those responsible for it accountable as the Party’s plenary draws near.
